Solutions
ABDOMEN ASSESSMENT
Subjective Data Correct Answer Appetite: Changes
Dysphagia
Food Intolerance
Abdominal Pain
Nausea/Vomiting
Bowel habits
Past Abdominal History
Medications
Nutritional Assessment
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Accumulation of hard stool in the recum
What type of patients have this? Correct Answer Fecal
Impaction
Neuro or spinal cord issue patients
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Fullness that can settle into abdomen
Caused by what Correct Answer Distention
Caused by gas, liquid, stool
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Gas in GI tract
What causes this Correct Answer Flatulence
,High fiber and more veggies
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Involuntary need to defecate
Who has this? Correct Answer Fecal Incontinence
Neurological pathology - aging population
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Varicose veins of the rectum Correct Answer Hemorrhoids
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Bowel habits
Watery stool
Why does this happen Correct Answer Diarrhea
Infection or virus
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Color - what do they mean
Red -
Black -
Green -
Clay - Correct Answer Bleeding
Upper GI bleeding
Infection
Liver problems with decreased bile drainage
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Diagnostic Tests
Stool Specimen Collection:
,Hemoccult (guaiac) test:
Endoscopy: Correct Answer HAT (need 1 inch of stool)
(tongue depressor)
Done at bedside (card and tongue depressor) Reagent and flip
card and add reagent - turns blue - blood
Scope inside digestive tract
Lower - colonoscopy
Upper - EGD
Looks for diverticulitis, cancer, pollops
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Lifespan consideration for
Pregnant women
Aging Adult Correct Answer Constipation
Bowel Elimination Concerns
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Lifespan considerations for Children Correct Answer
Protuberant abdomen is common
Bowel elimination - spinal cord developed at 18 months ( do not
potty train before )
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Lifespan considerations for Infants
Umbilical Hernia -
Diastasis Recti -
Meconium Stool - Correct Answer common with cry in < 1
year (stay < 1 in) ( close on own)
Separation of rectus muscle - can be normal
1st 24-48 hours (black - tarry and messy) (sticky stool)
, ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Medication Side Effects
Narcotics and Iron -
Antibiotics - Correct Answer Constipation (iron causes dark
stool)
Loose stools
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
Objective Data
What order of assessment Correct Answer Inspect - contour -
symmetry - umbilicus - aortic pulsation - feces characteristics - I
and O
Auscultate - Bowel sounds and vascular sounds
Percussion
Palpation - light (1-2 cm) than deep (5-8cm)
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
What are striae? Correct Answer Stretch Marks
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
What is a bruit? Correct Answer Turbulent blood flow -
indicates vessel disease or blocking
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
What is the content for feces? Correct Answer 75% water
25% bacteria and undigested food
ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
What should patients drink to for diagnostic exams Correct
Answer Barium